Israel

I took the Essential Guide to Israel along with me on a recent trip to Israel. The trip that I took was an organized group with pre-determined tours and hotels, so I did not need detailed information on selection of restaurants and accommodations. This particular book was easy to carry, and provided me with the basic information that I wanted to review in advance of touring sites. It lacks in-depth detail in all areas, so is good as a supplemental source for the first time Israel traveler, and helpful in the labeling of photos after the trip is over. Can't be beat as a nice overview for a reasonable price.

I purchased both the Lonely Planet Guide and the Insight Guide for Israel. Both are excellent resources, but the Insight Guide has better pictures and their hotel/restaurant choices are more targeted at mid-range travellers (the Lonely Planet Guides typically address themselves to budget travellers a bit more). I really enjoyed the rich color pictures and the style of writing, but the Insight Guide definitely comes up short in some critical areas: its hotel and restaurant listings are relatively sparse, it doesn't provide any information on transportation between the various sights or on when/how to see them, and is missing suggested iteneraries, which I find really helpful.All in all, I'd rate this book as worth your money, but buy the Lonely Planet Guide, too. If you only buy one guide, get the LPG instead of this book.